2 IDF Soldiers Killed In Gaza Fighting, IDF Kills Senior Hamas Weapons Developer

JERUSALEM (VINnews) —BDE:  The IDF announced that two soldiers were killed in the battles in the Northern Gaza strip. One was identified as Sergeant Major Yaakov Ozeri (28) from the village of Kfar Shamai near Meron, a tank member from 401 brigade. The other is Sergeant Major Yonatan Chazor (22) from the town of Katzir, a member of the Shaldag unit. Three other soldiers were seriously injured and their families were notified.

Yonatan Chazor HyD

One month into the war, IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari said Tuesday that the IDF has attacked more than 14,000 terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.

“We have killed many Hamas commanders, of various ranks. We have destroyed over 100 tunnel openings leading to terror tunnels, over 4,000 weapons, many of which were hidden in mosques, kindergartens and residential buildings – testifying to the cynical use of civilians as human shields by Hamas. We have successes, but there is still a long journey ahead,” he said.

“Hamas terrorists are telling themselves there will be a ceasefire. There is no ceasefire. We continue moving forward. We are focused on our offensive in Gaza. That said, we are working in parallel on each of the fronts. We are at a high level of preparedness in the north. In Judea and Samaria we are thwarting attempts at terror attacks and in the Red Sea we are prepared to defend against any scenario. The IDF is highly prepared and is ready to strike hard on any front in any area, against any threat, when needed,” added Hagari.

The IDF also struck in Lebanon Tuesday night, attacking weapons storehouses, rocket launchers and anti-tank squads.

In a statement on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an update on the war.

“In the south, the war in the Gaza Strip is proceeding with a fervor that Hamas has never known. Gaza City is surrounded. We are operating in it. We are intensifying the pressure on Hamas on an hourly basis, every day,” he said.

“As of now, we have eliminated thousands of terrorists above ground – and below ground. Among them, we have eliminated arch-murderers who planned and perpetrated the terrible massacre on that black Shabbat one month ago. Since the start of the ground incursion, we have destroyed countless Hamas command centers, tunnels, bases and installations. Hamas is discovering that we can go to places they did not think we could, and the campaign is continuing.”